Stupid Airmiles Questions

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

I have Aeroplan via Air Canada. What the heck is the difference between Aeroplan and Airmiles. I always thought they were the same. I always thought that when the cashier at the grocery store asked me if I collect airmiles I could give her my Aeroplan card but it doesn't work that way.

Is it better to have Airmiles than Aeroplan?

Can someone shed some light for me?

Thanks
A.

[Amberle3]

Aeroplan is specific to Air Canada. Airmiles is a separate program whereby you earn points that you can use some several airlines, but only when booked through the Airmiles travel agency.

What's best depends on how you're going to be accumulating points. There are some Aeroplan visa cards out that let you earn a point for every dollar spent, and travel to the US usually is 25,000 points. The Airmiles you earn one point per $20, but flights to the US are (I think) between 2800 to about 4000 depending on when you want to go (some months require more points).

Air Canada typically allows 4 regular Aeroplan seats per flight. You can get other seats for more points if those are sold out. With Airmiles I'm not sure what the limits are.

[calena]

We collect Air Miles. DH uses it for work, so they accumulate more rapidly than if it was just our family.
I am using Air Miles this year for four nights accomodation on trip, five tickets to Florida, car rental and two MYW passes. LOVE IT!
DH hates to see the Air Miles used up, but I figure this is free stuff, and otherwise I would have to pay for it all.

[Sandyincanada]

We collect both. I find though that I never seem to collect very many Aeroplane miles even with flying with AC about 10 times last year. With Airmiles, we've gone to TO from MB several times and even used them to buy one flight to Orlando this trip.

If you shop at Safeway, you earn tons if you watch their airmile bonus sales. Also every first Tues of the month, you can get 10 times the airmiles. I find they add up quickly if you use American Express for your bigger purchases as well. If you become gold (not that hard to do) you get alot of great airmile flight sales as well.

[MECH8T7]

We collect Air Miles. DH uses it for work, so they accumulate more rapidly than if it was just our family.
I am using Air Miles this year for four nights accomodation on trip, five tickets to Florida, car rental and two MYW passes. LOVE IT!
DH hates to see the Air Miles used up, but I figure this is free stuff, and otherwise I would have to pay for it all.

Thanks for the reminder. I collect Air Miles and I've never redeemed any. (I don't accumulate them fast enough). But, I was just on the site and it looks like I've got enough for at least two 7-day base adult MYW passes (which we can upgrade for park hopping). Also, it looks like I can also get some SeaWorld passes too.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes for Air Miles to process your order and whether there any processing fees?

Also, what do you actually get from them in the mail? Is it a voucher that is redeemable for the park tickets at a booth somewhere at WDW or do you get something that you can use right away at the parks?

[PanamaMike]

I've had an Airmiles card for almost 20 years and in all that time I managed to collect approx 800 miles.
The only business I use with any regularity that offers Airmiles is Shell.

My Areoplan credit card on the other hand has provided me with 10 free flights over the last 18 years.

[bev r.]

I've had airmiles since 1998 and have amassed 2100 airmiles. I have yet to redeem them. Aeroplan however, we have earned enough points for 5 of use to fly to Florida twice. We recently redeemed for 4 of us to travel to Europe this summer, and in a couple of months will have enough points for 5 flights in North America. 95% of our Aeroplan points are earned on the American Express and Visa Aeroplan credit cards. Alot comes from my husband's work expenses.

With the airmiles I think I will be willing those points to my kids, at the rate we have been earning them.

[chico]

Since joining airmiles in 1998 we have collected over 10000 airmiles, and have redeemed them for 6 flights - either roundtrip or partial legs - to Orlando from Winnipeg.

Using an airmiles credit card and visiting sponsors (but not going out of my way to do so) when shopping adds up.

Many people use their airmiles for movie tickets, or other purchases.

When booking tickets with Airmiles - everything is completed over the phone, with hard copies of your itinerary following in about a week. I can't speak for ticket vouchers or movie tickets though.

[RoyalCanadian]

I've had an Airmiles card for almost 20 years and in all that time I managed to collect approx 800 miles.
The only business I use with any regularity that offers Airmiles is Shell.

My Areoplan credit card on the other hand has provided me with 10 free flights over the last 18 years.

The Air Miles programme has been available in Canada since approximately 1992.

[MikeyNS]

I'm starting to really like my RoyalBank Avion card.. here's why..

I do both AirMiles and Aeroplan. I had enough AirMiles to get from Halifax to Orlando for this trip in February. I called a few months in advance to book a seat, but there was "no availability".. same with Aeroplan (I know you sometimes have to plan WAAAYYY ahead to get a seat... but I thought I would be safe about 3 months out)..
With the Avion points I just picked the flight I wanted, the airline I wanted and got the seats immediately.. plus I will earn Aeroplan points for the flights!

We have enough points for approximately 11 roundtrips to Florida and back.. and the Avion points were the only ones we could use for this trip. I'll just know better for next time to book waaaaaaaayyyy in advance. ;)

[Sandyincanada]

wow, we booked to Orlando for Feb on Nov 17 using airmiles. Guess it depended on your dates and your origin. I've never heard of Avion...is that like a Visa or Mastercard?

[DutchsMommy]

We purchased our PHPs with Airmiles. I think it took about 3 weeks to a month to get them, but I could be wrong about that. There were no additional fees. I know if you buy airfare you do have to pay a tax - usually averages out to about $150/ticket. For us it made more sense to use the Airmiles for the PHPs when I worked out the '$' value of each cost.

I have collected Airmiles for about 2 years. I never thought I would bother with something like this, but it is so simple. For me the biggest difference is to use my Gold Westjet Mastercard for EVERYTHING. I have upgraded to the 1AM for every $15 spent - this has an annual fee but I think it is worth it. My biggest win on the airmiles is putting my son's daycare on the card every month. I average about 250-300 airmiles a month from my mastercard alone. I also get my gas a Beaver (or Shell), use my mastercard to buy groceries at Dominion (double airmiles there once from m/c and once from dominion) and I bank with Bank of Montreal which offers airmiles on alot of their products. Since I have been collecting I have saved about 8000 airmiles - not bad for $ I would have spent anyway.

You also have to remember you can buy WAY more things than airfare with airmiles, I used my airmiles to buy giftcards for people at Christmas - daycare staff, cleaning person etc etc. You can get movie tickets, hotel accomodations, toys, luggage - all kinds of stuff.

Check out the website www.airmiles.ca

And no - I don't work for the company - really :teeth:

[bunnyfoo]

I collect both but I like Air Miles a little better than Aeroplan because you can redeem for items other than airline tickets. I usually collect about 1,000 Air Milles a year with my credit card (1AM/$20) and I put everything I can on my credit card. I've been thinking about upgrading to the 1/$15 card, but I've just been lazy.

[mejaie]

We used Airmiles for some PHP passes in November, I think we had the actual tickets in our hand within 2 weeks. We are trying to get enough for most of the flights next trip.

I also have Aeroplan, and you can use their points for merchandise as well. Actually did some Christmas shopping with it.

[Abba98]

Hi,we are big fans :cool1: of the Airmiles program,we will be flying in November free to Florida with Airmiles.This is the 4th time we've done it,and we've also flown other places with Airmiles.
We get our gas at Shell,shop at Sobey's,use the AM Mastercard,and try to shop at as many places we can that give airmiles.Even our house oil delivery gives us airmiles......
With Aeroplan,I've had one free trip from Nova Scotia-Vancouver,BC,in all the years I've used it.
Airmiles is the program for us! :Pinkbounc
Kirsten in Nova Scotia :teacher:

[Sandyincanada]

I collect both but I like Air Miles a little better than Aeroplan because you can redeem for items other than airline tickets. I usually collect about 1,000 Air Milles a year with my credit card (1AM/$20) and I put everything I can on my credit card. I've been thinking about upgrading to the 1/$15 card, but I've just been lazy.

LOL...I'm glad I'm not the only one. I can't count how many times I've said that I was going to look into the Westjet airmiles program, even go to the site but can't be bothered to go through it all to see if its worth it or not.

[cab0899]

I've just switched to the WestJest Airmiles Mastercard. My understanding is that if you book with WestJest (through airmiles) you only need 1400 airmiles (Wpg to Orlando) rather than 2800 airmiles needed if you fly on Northwest or AirCanada. Unfortunately, the WestJest travel schedule is really poor but hopefully will improve before we want to book. Our newspaper often has coupons that if you spend $200 at Safeway then you get 250 airmiles between those coupons and the Mastercard it doesn't take long to save enough airmiles.

[Sandyincanada]

I've been seriously looking at it too and yes, I agree their schedule is horrible so far. When you check a flight at airmiles, it still doesn't show the reduced amount with West Jet...I'm hoping they show that soon so I know its real lol. I fly with Wet Jet last month to Ottawa, I was impressed with them...loved those TV's on the back of the seats.

oops, make that 2.5 weeks ago, lol, its been a rough month

[mejaie]

When i go to the airmiles.ca site, and put in my number and pin I can see the 1400 miles. My airmiles card is Gold from using more than 5 sponsors so that may be why.

[bunnyfoo]

LOL...I'm glad I'm not the only one. I can't count how many times I've said that I was going to look into the Westjet airmiles program, even go to the site but can't be bothered to go through it all to see if its worth it or not.

Yeah, I'm a big time procrastinator ... :)

[spsneman]

We used air miles for two tickets last year and booked the other two tickets through the air miles travel agency. Paid a whack of service fees and charges. Next year we will book tickets with air miles from home to Minneapolis and then book directly with Northwest Airlines for flight from Minneapolis to Orlando. Return flight is $330 Canadian. Wished we would have done this last year. Oh well, live and learn.
Disney Cruise 2006 :cool1:

[minnie56]

Have had Airmiles for approx 20 years and have 1,000 miles or thereabouts...

Aeroplan is 'fed' by Visa-Aerogold and Amex for which I get bonus miles. I have in 5 years accumlated almost 300,000 miles this way with of course..a few YYZ-MCO trips thrown in there to add to it!
The problem always is...trying to redeem them on good old Air Canada!!! Seems if I want to give them extra points I may luck out...but not unless I part with more. I am beginning to think the whole thing is not worth the effort. :rolleyes:

[calena]

I just received my MYW tickets from Air Miles in the mail. It took about a week!

[Ariel & Tink's Dad]

Guess it all depends which one you like or use more.

I have been a member since 1997 and have redeemed for a trip for two on Northwest Airlines, two one week car rentals from Alamo, some gift certificates and a Delta Hotel stay.

I have found that since you can now cash in your HBC Rewards from Zeller's & The Bay we have found it easy to reach Gold status every year. (1 airmile for every 2000 HBC points).

I have been an Aeroplan member for even longer but have only been on AirCanada twice and even though I travel a few times a year. I usually stay at hotels that give Aeroplan points when I travel for work. You can kind of double dip too. When I used my Airmiles for Alamo I received Aeroplan points. This worked at Delta Hotels as well.

I only had enough points to do anything when they joined the Canadian Airlines Miles with Aeroplan. Have only ever cashed in my Aeroplan points for a hotel stay. 15,000 miles for one night I think!

Hope this helps

[Sandyincanada]

When i go to the airmiles.ca site, and put in my number and pin I can see the 1400 miles. My airmiles card is Gold from using more than 5 sponsors so that may be why.

It shows 1400 from Winnipeg to Orlando with West Jet? hmm, mine doesn't and I'm gold too. Do you have the WestJet MC card? Wonder if that makes the difference

[cab0899]

I think you have to have the West Jet mastercard before you can "see" the West Jet airmiles schedule

[mejaie]

It shows 1400 from Winnipeg to Orlando with West Jet? hmm, mine doesn't and I'm gold too. Do you have the WestJet MC card? Wonder if that makes the difference

Yes I do.

As far as other charges go for free flights, I called airmiles the other day and they said you have to pay taxes and surcharges so your "free" flights to MCO are $150.00 per person.

It is 900 airmiles to MSP then you can do a return flight (multiple stops) to MCO for as low as $ 250.00 CAD. All in about half of what you pay for Air Canada.

YWG to MCO on Northwest is 2800 air miles. MSP to MCO is 3500? :confused3

[Sandyincanada]

ok, thanks...guess I'll have to get the MC to see it, lol. You've always had to pay the taxes. We also looked into flying to Minn first but the flight times just didn't jive for us when we booked and it would have required an overnight stay both ways so that would have tacked on at least 300.00 with hotels and meals plus pulling DS out of school for even longer which we couldn't do.

Hopefully with Canjet now, we'll start getting some more options.